ASSOCIATES PROGRAM

Assignments. Upon arrival at the firm, each of our associates is assigned to a particular practice area. Most of our practice areas are further broken into smaller practice groups. During the recruiting process, we work to match our firm’s needs with our associate’s preference in practice areas. While it is unusual, it is possible for associates to change practice areas after being with the firm for a period of time.

Associate Development. Haynes and Boone seeks to hire, train, develop, retain and promote the highest quality associates. To ensure excellence in the development of the firm’s associates, we have established a three-pronged program as follows:

• HayBoo U. During the week that first year associates arrive at the firm, we lead an intensive three day orientation and training program known as “HayBoo U.” This program covers a broad range of topics ranging from general lawyering skills to firm management issues and from technology utilization to time management. It provides a good opportunity for new associates to connect with the firm and its culture.
  
  
• Partner Supervisory System. Each associate is supervised by one or more partners in the associate’s practice group. The partner supervisors oversee the associate’s training and development in all aspects of the practice of law, as well as integration into the local community.
  
  
• Associate Mentoring System. Each new associate, whether a first year lawyer or an experienced lateral hire, is assigned an associate mentor who is one to two years more senior to such person. Whenever possible, the mentor is a member of the new associate’s practice group. The goal of the associate mentor is to assist the integration of the new associate into his or her practice group, peer group and the firm as a whole. 

Technology Training. Our firm is committed to the use of cutting edge technology in all aspects of our practice. We believe that this allows us to deliver the best possible product to our clients. As part of this program, we regularly train associates at all levels on all aspects of our information systems, with particular attention to new associates who are learning these systems for the first time. We also provide each associate with a Palm Pilot upon completion of this training program.

Professional Training. Professional training occurs at Haynes and Boone as part of our day-to-day practice and through the interaction among our attorneys. Each of our practice groups also coordinates a formal training program through instruction by our attorneys and outside experts covering topics central to our practice areas. These training programs include instruction on such topics as negotiating skills, accounting for lawyers, drafting opinion letters, deposition techniques, cross examination, legal ethics and the "ten habits of great business lawyers." Our associates also are provided with opportunities to supplement these in-house training opportunities with outside seminars related to their practice areas.

Evaluations. Each practice section coordinates periodic evaluations of its associates. The purpose of the evaluations is to provide substantive feedback to each associate about their progress and to discuss pertinent issues with the associate regarding his or her practice development. For our younger associates, this provides an opportunity to identify areas of interest that a person desires to pursue or to voice any concerns regarding the person’s work experience to date. As associates become more senior, the evaluation process also includes a discussion of the associate’s prospects to make partner with the firm.

Community Involvement. As part of the development process, the firm encourages associates to engage in community activities. We recognize the importance of contributing back to our communities through public service and we support our associates’ efforts in such activities. This involvement includes pro bono work, civic and charitable endeavors and bar-related activities.

Salary and Benefits. Haynes and Boone compensates its associates at a level that is competitive with other major law firms in our market. The firm determines salary levels for its first year associates on or about September 1 of each year.  The firm also offers a full range of benefits to associates, including medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance benefits, as well as participation in the firm’s 401(k) retirement savings plan.